Chelsea get new sponsor update after key talks with two huge deals explored

Chelsea news as the Blues continue to look for a main sponsor with the weeks going on without confirming a hugely important financial deal

Chelsea will be welcoming back their first team stars from the international break as they travel to Bournemouth in the fifth Premier League match of Mauricio Pochettino's short time in charge. There will also be a new kit on show as the mint green - described as 'Eton blue' - top is on display for the first time.

When revealed to fans on Wednesday it became the third and final of this season's new tops to be made available. Alongside a hugely popular 1980s inspired home jersey and a shockwave navy away number it completes a set of unique and widely approved designs from the club.

It hasn't been because of a lack of trying. Streaming service Paramount Plus had an agreement with the club before it was turned down by the Premier League due to potential conflicts of interest with other broadcasters across the world. Gambling and online casino company, Stake, also entered talks but widespread backlash to that saw it dropped.

"The last we heard it was with the Premier League awaiting approval and the length of time it's taking suggests that verifying it is not a simple process for the Premier League," he said. "This is a very new company when the deal was first mooted and the numbers involved in the deal were quite eyebrow raising given how new this company is, given the fact that it's not very customer facing and thereby not the usual type of company that would be interested in a front-of-shirt sponsorship.

"They have to verify that there aren't any direct links to Clearlake Capital. There are a lot of boxes to tick. I don't know at this stage which way it's going to go but it has been on the Premier League's desk for a while."

Negotiations for a deal are ongoing, Simon Johnson explained, but it's still not a formality at this stage. "Chelsea have started talks with Riyadh Air, they don't even fly yet, they start in 2025 apparently but they have held some talks with them," he added.

"They're owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) so that will definitely raise some eyebrows and someone that's closer to home, Kaiyun Sports, who have got a deal with [Nottingham Forest]. It's interesting.

"Whether this is Infinite Athlete for one season and these guys [Riyadh Air] being lined up for seasons to come or whether there's trouble in the roads for Infinite Athlete, this long delay and they're looking at other options, it's quite remarkable but the positive of all this of course is Chelsea fans being able to buy this sponsorless shirt and you have to say it's kind of been nice to see it.

"I don't know why it makes a difference but it does, I sound like a club salesman now, but you would think that sooner or later Chelsea have to get this resolved. They need the money. Any club needs the money but after spending what Chelsea have spent in the market they need some money coming in as well."

Infinite Athlete, who were only recently formed when Tempus Ex Machina acquired Biocore, are the most likely option at this stage and shirts have been spotted with their branding on, but are yet to be signed off. Tempus have already agreed a deal with Chelsea over seven-years in order to help develop their coverage of matches online.